Retreat Update

Ada got this one put together. The pattern is from Judy's Patchwork Times.

 

I have all 80 block done, hopefully the next time you see these blocks they will be in a completed top.

 

Terrie is working on a Blooming 9 patch. She has it laid out on the floor upstairs and is getting her exercise going up and down the stairs.

Cathy as spent all afternoon paper piecing a soccer ball. There were going to be 3 in the T-shirt quilt she is doing for her youngest but now there will only be one.

 

Dianna is making Christmas quilt as you go place mats.

 

 

Faye joined us just for the day and worked on her Road to Dublin blocks from one of the Nichol Quilts book.

Gail is working on her 3 year double wedding ring.

Ada is putting Loddie's Mill together.

 

Here is the finish top, isn't it gorgeous?

 

 

Gina is working on the the border of a baby quilt  and the finish product is hanging on the far right.

 Barbara looks like she is cutting out paper dolls but she is actually working on some wool applique projects.

 

Sharon is working on a T-shirt among other things.

 

Donna is working on some beautiful blocks. The pattern is from the book Scrap Basket Surprise.

 

 

And not to leave myself out I have been sewing on some fall quilt as you go place mats. I will get pictures again after trimming and binding.


Below are a few photos of the decoration around the Red Rooster.

 

 

 

 

 

Fall Retreat

 

 

We met at Sweet Peppers for lunch before we make our trek out in the country to the Red Rooster Retreat. We arrived at 1:30 and immediately dove into different projects. I had a little bit of computer trouble getting on line so didn't make more pictures until after dinner. The menu tonight was beef stew, coleslaw, cornbread then dark chocolate chip cake. She also served cheese and crackers and pickled okra on the side. I convinced Dianna and Terrie to try the okra and it surprised them both, they liked it.

 

Most are Dancing With the Stars fans so they have that on now. Donna Assayag has her feet propped up enjoying the show.

 

Dianna Smith is working on an Auburn rag quilt for on of her sons. We kidded her about making her another Auburn quilt.

 

Cathy Owen is working on a Halloween applique project.

Gail Self, hard at it.

Gina Decker is telling me to back away with the camera. She is making a baby disappearing 9 patch.

 

Terri Michael is working on a blooming 9 patch.

 

Ada Nevels and Barbara Baker are taking a little relax time.

 

 



 

 

Retreat!!!!

I didn't get a lot of sewing in this week because I was getting ready to go on a quilting retreat. I did get 9 more blocks for Holy Toledo but now I have pulled them all off the design wall and packed everything to hopefully complete this top while there. I also have cut strips, and strips and more strips for quilt as you go place mats. Hopefully I will do a better job of picture taking with these. The place mats I made as birthday gifts were such a hit I decided to make a couple of more sets as Christmas gifts. I would even like to make a set for myself. I may be a little ambitious thinking I will get Holy Toledo complete as well as 3 sets of 6 place mats, not to mention I am carrying stuff to make a purse. Cathy is going to help the ones that want to make a purse like her Purdue one. I took a picture of all my bags just now but it didn't download. If the camera keeps this up it may get replaced.

We are going to the Red Rooster Retreat in Crane Hill, AL. Check out their web site at Redroosterretreat.com , it is a beautiful facility that caterers to quilters and scrap bookers. I'm carrying camera and computer so hopefully I will be able to post through out the week. It is a much smaller group this time which is good because we can spread out but it is also bad because we will miss some of the regulars. I have gone on spring retreat several years but this will be my first fall retreat. Jennifer is a wonderful cook and usually prepares in season meals so the fall retreat will offer a different menu. I was so excited I woke up at 4:30 this morning and if our first day there is usual it will be a long time until bedtime tonight.  We are leaving here about 11 this morning can't wait!!!

DWM

I did get some sew time this weekend but not much. On Friday when the stitch group got together I carried my Thangle pieced HST for Holy Toledo and cut, pressed and pulled paper from them.
This weekend I sew up the last 13 strip sets and started making blocks. I got 16 blocks made. Put these with the 13 I had made and the design wall is looking pretty good.

 

 

Only need 51 more and with all the components made they should go together pretty quick, just not sure how much sew time I will get this week. Next week is our fall retreat and I have things to get ready to take with me.

 

I want to make me a set of fall place mats like I made Cathy, still can't believe I forgot to  take pictures of them. I need to cut more strips plus my back and batting.

 

Got to go walk. Have a great day.

 

Stitcher's birthday

Friday the stitch group got together at Linda's and we celebrated Cathy and Dianna's birthday. Barbara also continued to celebrate her birthday from the week before with some that missed last week.

I took pictures of both birthday girls with all their bounty or at least I thought I did. Now all I get is unrecognized format. Who knows what I did wrong.

Since I haven't shared the pictures from DeAndra's wedding I'll do that now.

 

I'm not going to smash cake in his face, no I'm not!!!!

 

 

 

dwm Oct. 15 2012

 

I got all the red and light stars complete and put together, now it looks like this.

So glad I didn't just add those first 8 blocks to my orphan block drawer. Besides it being full already, this turned out really nice if I do say so myself. The original pattern called for a 2 inch red inner border and then it had a contrasting color, blue with red for the outer border. I thought that took away from the design so I just went with a 5 inch red border and stopped there. This is a nice large lap or couch quilt.

I wasn't sure what other UFO I wanted to revisit, I really wanted to start something new that I had seen recently. In the end I choose to tackle some Sister's Choice blocks that I have made from scraps of 4 years of teaching the Thimbleberrie BOM. The blocks are complete just need putting together.

 

This is a start on the layout.

 

Very simple blocks. I used the same red for the star points but scrapped the lights. I only have a few pieces with enough yardage for the borders so will wait until get it together before deciding. I have a little more of the red, maybe enough for an inner border but that might be to much red, not sure.

 

Lucy helped take pictures this morning. I think she thought she would get a treat for sitting so pretty. Too many treats is why I have to get off here and take her and myself for a walk. Have a good sew day.

I am kicking my self because I forgot to take my camera yesterday. The stitch group went to Guntersville, AL to a quilt show put on by the Lakeside Quilters. They had a very nice show with lots of quilts. We saw some beautiful hand quilted, and a lot was by one person. She must be a fast quilter and beautiful at applique as well. There were disappearing nine patches, lone stars, log cabins, lots of applique and so much more. I think I heard 170 quilts or entries, this could include ware ables. There was one section of knitted items. They are still there today if you can go it is worth the trip.

UFO part 2

Item # 4 --- 4 patch bow tie or Bow Dacious This item number hasn't been selected yet so it will come up in either Nov. or Dec. either way I have the top finished. This is another one that quilting may have to wait, I think I want to custom quilt it and unless I find a pattern for those centers that I think I can do then it will have to be sent out. This is another Bonnie Hunter pattern.

 

 

 Trying different ways to photograph quilts.

Item # 5 Red and Yellow --- This was the first number pulled and I finished on Jan. 30, 2012. I called this one my anti-depression quilt. I started it last year after Gina announced she was closing the shop, do you think it is bright and cheerful enough?

Item # 6 B/W & R stars ---- This was started in a Bonnie Hunter class a couple of years ago.  I knew it was on my list for this year so I found the ladybug border fabric on one of our road trips last year. I finished the top in Feb. and got it quilted in March. It wasn't chosen until October but that worked out great since it gives me time now to work on birthday and Christmas gifts.

 

 

 

 

UFO Challenge update

Judy at Patchwork Times has a yearly UFO challenge. You list 12 projects you would like to complete and each month she pulls a number and challenges you to complete that item that month. I accepted the challenge again this year and thought I would give everyone an update since the year is drawing to a close.

Item # 1 -- Roll Roll Cotton Bole----- The number 1 was chosen in February. I had the top complete on 2-18-12 and got it quilted and bound by Feb. 27, 2012 which happens to be my anniversary.

 

 

Item # 2 -- Scrappy Trip or Laps Around the Pool--- Number 2 was chosen in May. May was the month we took the 10 day road trip to Missouri and Kansas. I did get the top completed on May 8, 2012 but it has not been quilted yet. It is huge 112 square and I just can't afford to have it quilted yet. Pictures of it are back on the May 8th blog.

Item # 3 -- Marching Around the Square  was chosen in July. This is another that I have finished the top but it is not quilted. I would like it custom quilted but then again money or lack there of is keeping in the needs to be quilted pile. I have pictures of the blocks on an earlier blog but none of the finished top.

Rather than go to long I give you more tomorrow.

Another Monday

Not a lot has changed on the design wall this week. I do have 5 more light blocks complete but not added to the wall. Need to make some red for placement. I'm not sure I am going to leave the dark maroon block. I don't think any of my other reds are near that dark and it may stick out too much. I have plenty of other reds I can use to make a substitute block. Red is my favorite color so I am really glad I decided to finish this one, not really sure how I got side tracked away from it in the first place.

Later this week I plan to publish my list of UFO's on this year's UFO challenge with Judy at Patchwork Times.  It has been a successful challenge and I am already making lists for next year.

red blocks

I have worked a little more on the red and white blocks for Picnic by the Falls. I have 5 more light blocks complete and 5 red blocks and another light block cut out. Getting a lot closer. Spent most of the afternoon working on secret projects, so no pictures.

Also wanted to wish Michelle a happy birthday today. She and Callie the friend pictured here are on their way to Miami to catch a cruise ship. Should be a very nice way to spend birthday week. This was Callie's first time to fly and first cruise for both so should be very exciting experience.

S & T part 2

Cathy has done both travel and projects. This is a 1600 quilt she completed using a pack of Bali Pops and the dark accent square.

Here is a bag she is working on, brought for advise on the grommets. Of course this black and gold bag has Purdue fabric lining. Oh and according to the weather forecast this may be the last time for short pants and bare feet, going to drop very low temps by Monday.

Linda had made this Dish Golf tee shirt quilt for a friend. They had to explain Dish to me, not a big sports fan.

Linda as also just spent a week in New England and this is her return stash of goodies. Lots of patterns and wonderful wool. I'm not sure she even noticed the autumn color that the area is famous for this time of year.

I could kick myself for not getting pictures of a quilt that Butch had quilted for Ada and I didn't get a picture of the blocks she has made this week. It was the first real sewing she has done since her surgery. I just forgot to get the camera back out after pizza.

I shared my Carolina Chain and Stars Aligned with the group even though most had seen them on previous blogs. It is raining here this morning so it should be a good sew day. Go sew everyone!!!